'IS' flag causes brawl in Sheffield as EU debates Iraq arms deal

ROW: A flag mistaken to belong to the evil terror group Islamic State sparked a brawl in Sheffield [REUTERS]

South Yorkshire Police said the demonstrators were actually holding a Palestinian flag with an Islamic declaration of faith.

But members of the city's Kurdish community wrongly thought the flag was a show of support for the brutal terrorist group that has take control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria.

They approached the protestors and ripped the flag to pieces, sparking the brawl.

Sawat Jaf, a Kurdish refugee who left Iraq in 2006, told The Times: "They said they were helping the Palestinians and they waved a Palestinian flag, but after that they brought the IS flag as well.

"The Kurdish people did not want that. They said terrorists are killing people in Kurdistan."

In a statement South Yorkshire Police confirmed arrests had been made at the event.

"The organizers of the demonstration were pro-Palestinian and were flying the Palestinian flag and a black flag that bears the Islamic declaration of faith," a police spokesman said.

HELP: Iraqi refugees receive food and water at an aid camp as the IS assaults continue [AFP/GETTY]

"This was mistaken for a flag representing the militant group IS by some local Kurdish residents who took offence. The Gaza demonstrators were adamant that no offence was meant. Overall, the demonstration was peaceful."

Meanwhile EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels about whether to arm Kurdish fighters in Iraq.

The Iraqi military has been battered by deadly IS assaults and thousands have been forced to flee amid horrific acts of barbarism.

Dozens have been beheaded or crucified across the Middle East with others told to convert to Islam or face death.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg agreed during an emergency Cobra meeting it was "vital" the UK aided those fighting IS.